Suherdjoko, Semarang – Authorities are hunting for Second Cpl. Muslimin of the 4th Regional Military Command (Kodam IV) Diponegoro in Central Java for hiring hitmen to kill his 34-year-old wife Rina Wulandari.
The police and the military have arrested five men in the case: four alleged hired hitmen and one who provided the gun. Rina was shot in her waist and stomach as she arrived at her house on a motorcycle with her 10-year-old daughter on July 18.
She has been treated at Dr. Kariadi General Hospital (RSUP) in Semarang, Central Java, after undergoing surgery to remove one bullet at Hermina Hospital on Sunday. The hospital said her condition was improving.
In a press conference on Monday, Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Ahmad Lutfi said that based on interrogations, Muslimin wanted to kill his wife because he was having an affair with his secretary and wanted to marry her.
Muslimin is allegedly backing up illegal-gambling operations and his secretary has been doing the ledger.
"The perpetrator attempted to commit premeditated murder, [which carries] a maximum penalty of death or life in prison," Lutfi said.
Army chief-of-staff Gen. Dudung Abdurachman, who was also at the conference, thanked the police and military investigation team in the case.
"There are 50 police and 24 army personnel. I express my gratitude and appreciation for the joint teamwork," Dudung said.
Muslimin agreed to pay the hitmen Rp 200 million (US$13,360). The four perpetrators were riding two motorcycles when one of them shot Rina with a homemade gun in front of her house in Semarang city.
After the shooting, the hitmen received Rp 120 million from Muslimin.
Muslimin had planned the murder since June, and has ordered hitmen to either poison his wife or kill her in a robbery, and even cast a santet (black magic spell). (dre)